The Second Wave: Southern Industrialization from the 1940s to the 1970s

The Second Wave examines the industrial transformation of the American South during a pivotal period from World War II through the 1970s. This comprehensive study explores how wartime mobilization and federal investment reshaped the region's economic landscape. The book tracks multiple industries including textiles, furniture, chemicals, and electronics as they developed across different Southern states. Through extensive research and case studies, Scranton documents the roles of business leaders, workers, and government officials in driving this regional change. The narrative follows both successful and failed attempts at industrialization, revealing the complex interplay between traditional Southern culture and modernizing forces. Labor relations, racial dynamics, and evolving technology feature prominently in the account of this economic transition. This work contributes to ongoing debates about regional development and the relationship between government policy and industrial growth. The stories and data presented raise questions about the true costs and benefits of rapid industrialization in traditional agricultural societies.

Readers note this text provides deep research and data on the South's economic transformation after WWII, especially in industrial sectors like textiles, lumber, and furniture. Readers appreciated: - Detailed case studies of specific companies and regions - Coverage of both urban and rural industrialization - Analysis of race relations in Southern workplaces - Statistical data and economic metrics Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of labor unions - Focus on manufacturing overlooks other economic sectors - Some data and examples feel repetitive Review data: Goodreads: 3.6/5 stars (5 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating From a reader review on H-Net: "While exhaustively researched, the text can be challenging for non-academic readers to parse. The statistical information provides value but the narrative threads connecting data points could be stronger." Limited number of public reviews available due to the book's academic/specialized nature.

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Southern Capitalism: The Political Economy of North Carolina, 1880-1980 by Philip Wood A detailed analysis tracks North Carolina's industrial evolution through textiles, tobacco, and furniture manufacturing, revealing the interplay between business, politics, and labor.

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From Cotton Belt to Sunbelt: Federal Policy, Economic Development, and the Transformation of the South by Bruce J. Schulman This work examines how federal policies and defense spending reshaped the Southern economy from agriculture to industry between the 1930s and 1980s.

🏭 Southern industrialization during this period created over 2 million new manufacturing jobs, fundamentally transforming the region's rural-agricultural identity. 🚗 The book reveals how defense contracts during World War II and the Korean War served as catalysts for the South's industrial development, with companies like Bell Aircraft and Ford establishing major facilities in the region. 📊 Philip Scranton, the author, is considered one of the leading historians of American business and industry, serving as Editor-in-Chief of Enterprise & Society from 2002-2007. 👔 The "Second Wave" marked a shift from traditional textile and furniture manufacturing to more diverse industries including chemicals, electronics, and aerospace - often driven by companies relocating from the Northeast. 💰 Southern states actively competed for northern industry through "smokestack chasing" - offering tax breaks, subsidized facilities, and anti-union environments that created a blueprint for modern industrial recruitment practices.